Which Ball Valves - different names!

[periolus]

Okay. I am ordering stuff from BES tonight (www.bes.co.uk) and need to make the order over £40, so want to get my ball valves there as well.

First questions! Should i be using 22mm valves for output from HLT, Mash Tun and Boiler? It would seem to make sense to have greater flow. Would that mean I need a 22mm manifold in the MT as well?

Okay - second question. From Screwfix, here is a link to a 15mm ball valve (full bore yellow-handle type):
http://www.screwfix.com/p/full-bore-lev ... 15mm/80413

What is the equivalent from BES? Is it a 15mm x 15mm compression type valve? There also 15mm x 1/2", 15mm x 3/4" etc. What do I need?

 

[periolus]

Okay, found BES product codes 8123, 8124 which match the Screwfix items and are DZR, which I assume is better. Do these look okay? They are also rated to a high temperature.

 

[JagCrusher]

P,
FWIW, from my 'research', 15mm (or ½"BSP) is the common size used by most brewers. I can't see you needing the extra capacity of 22mm as most of the time you need a slower, controlled flow from the mash tun & boiler (so as to create the mash &/or hop bed for filtering). 15mm/½" fittings are cheaper too :thumb:

Again, I would have thought that max. temp for ball valves will be ~80*C for the HLT as the wort from the boiler will be cooled but you might want to recirculate boiling wort in future so then need 100*C spec (?).

If you want the best then go for BES item# 10397 - 3 piece stainless steel @ £11.79 + VAT

DZR ('dezincified') are better in theory but I believe there is very little lead in most modern brass fittings anyway.

Whether you want/need 15mm compression or ½" BSP threaded will all be down to how you are mounting the valves and what you want to attach to 'em at either end. YMMV.

HTH,
Steve

 

[pjbiker]

It's probably too late now you've ordered but

15mm will be male thread with a nut to connect to 15mm copper pipe by compression fitting. They will also attach directly into 1/2" BSP female fitting (with some PTFE tape). The BSP valves listed on BES are female BSP both ends.

Basically it depends how you're attaching them. I used screwfix 15mm/15mm compression like you listed as it was the cheapest option but has to be connected to a piece of 15mm copper pipe.

I'm sure you will have what you need when you get them. Yes 15mm/ 1/2" is sufficient bore for most of our needs up to say 100L pot sizes.

 

[periolus]

Well, so far I have ordered one of the 3pc stainless ballvalves form BES, and they are lush! I think I will treat myself to two more when the time comes. They will match the rest of the brewery and everything! A treat doesn't hurt, eh? I am seeking bargains for every other part of it where I can.

 

[guyb]

Okay - second question. From Screwfix, here is a link to a 15mm ball valve (full bore yellow-handle type):
http://www.screwfix.com/p/full-bore-lev ... 15mm/80413

You probably sorted this, but I got one of the above, and took it back the next day as it was awful, the nut tightening the handle on rounded off in about 15secs.

I got a pegler valve instead, much better construction - I suppose you gets what you pays for! :thumb: